Male involvement in family planning in Krachi-Nchumuru District, Volta Region, Ghana: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Family planning has been predominantly associated with women in Sub

Saharan Africa but, over the past few years, there has been an increasing focus

on including men in an attempt to achieve better health outcomes for families.

Despite these efforts, contraceptive use remains low in many high fertility

countries, including Ghana. Men’s role in reproductive decision-making remains

an important but neglected part of understanding fertility control in high- and

low-income countries. This study examined the factors that contribute to low

male involvement in reproductive health services in Krachi-Nchumuru District, a

rural region of Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 164 men, aged between 20-59 years (considered to be

representative of reproductive age), in three local communities in Krachi-Nchumuru District, Volta Region of Ghana.

The target communities were Chinderi, Zongo Macheri and Kornado. Study participants were randomly selected

based on their availability at the time of data collection. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0.

Results

The majority (39.6%) of participants were between 20 and 29 years of age; 28% were aged 30–39; 20.7% were aged

40–49 and 11.6% were 50– 59 years of age. Most (69.6%) of the respondents had some formal education (basic,

secondary or tertiary) while 30.4% participants had no formal education. Christianity was the most commonly

followed religion (46.3% of the study participants). Just over two thirds (68%) of the respondents had some

knowledge of family planning, with 37% reporting the source of their knowledge to be health facilities. Nearly all of

the respondents (94%) who reported knowledge of family planning had discussed this with their partners. About half

(49%) of all respondents said they had never used any form of family planning methods however, with half (50%) of

these attributing their non-usage to religion, while the rest (50%) cited cultural taboos, cost and distance to health

facilities as the main barriers.

Conclusion

Despite the increasing knowledge and availability of family planning services in rural Ghana, utilization of these

services remains low among the men surveyed in this study. Sociocultural factors, including religious objections, are

mostly responsible for non-patronage. Involving men in reproductive health decision-making and providing

adequate support to families can enhance utilization of these services. This will help to achieve safe motherhood and

improve the overall wellbeing of individuals, families and their communities.